On September 30th, FPCC honours the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
We raise our hands to all Indigenous residential and day school survivors and express our gratitude for the strength of those who are sharing their stories and advocating for justice, truth, accountability and reconciliation.
September 30th is also Orange Shirt Day – an Indigenous-led grassroots movement started by residential school survivor, Phyllis Webstad. The orange shirt has become a national symbol that “Every Child Matters” and a powerful tool for acknowledgment and reconciliation
tucwemstwal̓lhkál̓ap (“you folks take care of one another” in Ucwalmícwts)
As you sit in reflection on the history of today and the intergenerational effects of residential schools, we encourage you to remember the strength of our people. We see this every day in the work being done by First Nations communities and people to restore and celebrate their culture as they revitalize the languages, arts and heritage of these lands.
We will all process and mark this day differently. Today, we encourage all our relatives to take care of yourselves and each other. We hope that you are able to surround yourself with community in a space that provides healing, safety and comfort.
Below you will find contacts and resources to support those who may be affected by media stories and conversations about the impacts of residential schools.
If you or your family members are struggling, please reach out for support:
- 24-hour Residential School Crisis Line 1-866-925-4419
- Indian Residential School Survivors Society provides access to counselling and cultural support for survivors and their families in B.C. Call toll-free 1-800-721-0066 or visit www.irsss.ca
- Hope for Wellness Hotline provides mental health counselling and crisis support at 1-855-242-3310 and via online chat at www.hopeforwellness.ca
- KUU-US Crisis Line Society provides a 24-hour, province-wide Indigenous crisis line for Indigenous peoples in B.C. – Adults please call 250-723-4050. Children and youth please call 250-723-2040. Toll-free: 1 800 588-8717
- Tsow-Tun-Le-Lum for Indigenous peoples in B.C. at 1-888-403-3123
- Métis Crisis Line for Métis people in B.C., available 24 hours a day at 1-833 Métis BC (1-833-638-4722)
Additional supports are available through the First Nations Health Authority here.
To find an event honouring the day visit this link, Events in BC | Indigenous Tourism BC (indigenousbc.com). Specify your location to view events in your area.